Solar
cells
have
varying
amounts
of
effectiveness
depending
on
factors
such
as
latitude
and
cloud
coverage.
For
example,
locations
with
more
cloud
coverage
will
produce
less
solar
energy.
By
comparing
the
monthly
averages
of
surface
downward
radiation
in
various
locations
around
the
United
States,
students
can
analyze
areas
that
would
be
more
or
less
beneficial
to
having
solar
panels
per
month.
This
...
Full description.

The
seasons
on
Earth
are
caused
by
the
tilt
of
the
Earth
on
its
axis
as
it
revolves
around
the
Sun.
The
differences
in
climate
along
similar
latitudes
can
be
explained
by
local
variations
in
heat
transfer,
such
as
sea
and
land
breezes.
The
absorption
of
solar
radiation
by
different
surface
materials
also
contributes
to
variations
in
temperature
along
similar
latitudes.
Students
will
learn
to
correlate
...
Full description.

Students
will
make
predictions
by
linking
current
scientific
satellite
data
to
concerns
about
global
climate
change.
Using
maps
of
sea
surface
temperature
(SST)
and
ocean
surface
winds,
students
will
learn
how
differential
heating
of
Earth
results
in
circulation
patterns
in
the
atmosphere
and
oceans
that
globally
distribute
the
heat.
Students
will
learn
the
relationship
between
the
rotation
of
Earth
...
Full description.

Students will examine data in several formats in order to determine the presence or absence of seasonal variability in tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations. The dataset used in this lesson is monthly averages of NO2 as measured from NASA's EOS Aura spacecraft.
Full description.

Our
atmosphere
is
warmed
by
shortwave
radiation
received
from
the
Sun.
Some
of
the
energy
is
reflected
back
to
space
depending
on
cloud
cover
and
the
surface
characteristics
of
Earth.
Some
of
the
energy
is
absorbed
by
the
surface,
then
re-emitted
back
to
space
as
longwave
radiation.
As
this
occurs,
clouds
and
atmospheric
gases
can
reflect,
absorb
and
re-emit
this
energy
--
the
so-called
greenhouse
...
Full description.

Solar
energy
is
radiant
energy
that
is
produced
by
the
Sun.
Every
day
the
Sun
radiates
an
enormous
amount
of
energy.
How
much
solar
energy
a
place
on
Earth
receives
depends
on
several
conditions.
In
this
lesson,
students
will
explore
real
NASA
satellite
data
for
energy
from
the
Sun
and
cloud
cover
for
their
area
to
determine
if
they
can
harness
this
solar
energy,
a
renewable
energy
source,
by
using
...
Full description.

Phytoplankton,
microscopic
floating
plant-like
marine
organisms
(plankton
means
wanderer)
are
at
the
bottom
of
the
marine
food
chain.
They
perform
photosynthesis
using
water,
carbon
dioxide,
and
sunlight
to
produce
glucose
for
their
own
use,
as
well
as
oxygen.
Humans
and
all
land
animals
and
sea
creatures
are
dependent
on
phytoplankton.
The
chlorophyll
in
phytoplankton
can
be
observed
by
remote
sensing
...
Full description.

Students will use NASA satellite data to study temperature and snow-ice coverage in the South Beaufort Sea, Alaska. The data can be used to correlate with USGS ground tracking of polar bears, and to relate this to global change, sea ice changes, and polar bear migration. The data can be used to draw conclusions surrounding any migration patterns in the region.
Full description.

The
depletion
of
the
ozone
layer
is
recognized
as
one
of
the
Earth's
most
important
environmental
issues.
The
Antarctic
ozone
hole
is
recognized
as
one
of
the
most
striking
indicators
of
ozone
depletion.
The
location
of
the
ozone
hole
is
generally
confined
to
the
latitudes
over
Antarctica,
although
there
are
occasions
when
the
ozone
hole
can
move
over
lower
latitudes
locations
such
as
South
America.
...
Full description.

Water
is
one
of
Earth's
most
unique
and
valuable
resources.
Thus,
the
distribution
of
water
on
Earth
is
a
very
important
factor
in
the
evaluation
of
global
climate
and
its
impact
on
life.
In
this
lesson,
students
will
use
historical
satellite
data
to
examine
precipitable
water
--
a
measure
of
the
water
available
in
the
atmosphere
from
evaporation
(in
the
form
of
water
vapor).
They
will
then
compare
...
Full description.